Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter, which is extremely important. A healthy biosphere is crucial to the future sustainability of our global and domestic ecosystems. The interconnectedness of our global environment means that whatever happens in one part of the world will have a direct impact not only on the nation but also on people in completely separate countries. The risk of a degraded biosphere and a depletion of biodiversity will have significant consequences for our world. We rely on biodiversity to prevent diseases and viruses from spreading and for the development of new and existing medicines. We rely on biospheres to provide clean air for us all to breathe, clean water for us to drink and much more.

A recent study by Queen's University Belfast described the rate of erosion within our global biospheres as "significantly more alarming" than we had previously thought. It also showed that nearly 50% of species globally are in population decline. We must prevent that situation from deteriorating and strive to boost global species populations. It is in that context that we must do everything we can to increase biodiversity at home while working with our European partners to improve the health of our continental biosphere and that of the wider globe.

We often discuss climate-related issues in this House, and we see many climate-related narratives in the media. Despite that, however, I believe that sometimes we can forget the scale of the challenge before us. Our species has never faced such a challenge, and it will be hard for our nation and other nations around the world to deliver the kind of change needed in order to limit the scale of the impact.

Boosting biodiversity is a key tool in all our efforts to roll back the damage being done to our ecosystems, and that will play a significant role in protecting our future. It is for those reasons that I support the principles of the European Commission's proposal for the introduction of a nature restoration law. Under that proposal, the Commission has proposed that protective measures should be introduced to cover a minimum of 20% of all the EU's land and sea areas by 2030, in time extending to all ecosystems that are in need of restoration by 2050. The proposed regulation - I stress the word "proposed" - would require each member state to develop a national restoration plan within two years of the measures coming into force. Among the proposals for agriculture is an increase in grassland butterfly and farmland bird populations, the stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral soils and the share of agricultural land with high-diversity landscape features, restoring drained peatlands currently under agricultural use.

While I support the principles of the Commission's plans, I believe there should be scope for individual member states to tailor the approach that works for their own domestic situations. I understand that the Government is working with the Commission to that effect, and that is the right approach. Scaremongering on a draft proposal which has yet to achieve consensus among member states is disingenuous at best. It is incumbent on Members of this House to tell the truth.

It is important that any resulting targets or regulations are clearly defined, achievable and, importantly, not punitive to farmers and other landowners, specifically with regard to land use. It is appropriate that incentives should be considered for adaption of land use, which can boost engagement and participation and ensure sustainable incomes for farm families.

While the challenge is huge, I believe there is still time for us to implement positive change. Just recently a project involving Glenasmole in the Dublin Mountains was unveiled. It is an important biodiversity project that will cover 2,000 ha of land and involve native woodland planting while reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and much more. Those are the kinds of initiatives we have to see in years to come. Our ecosystem can be a vital ally in our climate action efforts, and we must be ambitious in our goals to build the strength of our biosphere and our biodiversity. We can all play a very significant part in achieving those collective goals.

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